AN alcoholic breached an interim anti-social behavi-our order seven times in 21 days despite spending more that 10 nights in custody.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Bailey, 41, of no fixed address, was a chronic alcoholic who was unable to comply with the condition that banned him from being under the influence of alcohol in public.

The court was told that Bailey was homeless and was almost inevitably going to be in a public place and almost inevitably going to be under the influence of alcohol.

"The order was imposed for the best of reasons but simply imposing it doesn't cure the disease, the disease of alcoholism," said Michael Blacklidge, defending.

"This is a 41-year-old man who struggles to remember how old he is.

"He can't remember which offence is which because he can't differentiate one day from another."

Bailey pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

He was remanded in custody for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.